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The Best Outdoor String Lights

tbergphoto/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated May 2023

Set the mood for your next party or a quiet evening on the patio with a set of string lights that illuminates your space. Check out our top picks here.

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  Top Choice Best Heavy-Duty Option Best with Solar Power Best Shatterproof Option Best for Changing Colors
 
  Brightown
Store Outdoor String Lights
addlon
48 FT Outdoor String Lights
Brightown
Solar String Outdoor Lights
SUNTHIN
48FT LED Outdoor String Light
Govee
Outdoor String Lights
 
Our SummaryA brightly colored option for string lights that gives you the option for the color you prefer.Light up your backyard with a set of heavy-duty lights that look great outdoors.Power your backyard ambiance with solar-powered lights that come in a variety of brightness levels.A durable set of outdoor lights that provides plenty of dimming choices.A set of lights with color-changing options, a remote, and quality that’s made to last.
Pros✓ Includes 25 feet of string lights
✓ Easy to install
✓ Waterproof
✓ Made from weatherproof material
✓ Compatible with dimmers
✓ Solar-powered
✓ Lasts up to 10 hours
✓ Comes with 60 bulbs
✓ Great for patios and porches
✓ Shatterproof and weatherproof
✓ Energy-efficient bulbs
✓ Waterproof and shatterproof
✓ Includes a remote
✓ Can change colors
Cons✗ Lighter color than the photos✗ Not made of high-quality material✗ Lights are on the dimmer side✗ Lights may need a dimmer✗ Lights are on the dimmer side
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20 Models Evaluated

8 Hours Researched

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The Best Outdoor String Lights

String of lights outdoors in the woods at dusk.
tbergphoto/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Outdoor String Lights

Outdoor string lights hanging on a line in backyard.
ronstik/Shutterstock.com

Why buy outdoor string lights?

If you want to make your space unique and create a fun ambiance without spending a fortune, a set of string lights can make your outdoor area even more enjoyable. Give your back patio or front porch a spruce with outdoor string lights that come in various sizes, designs, and levels of brightness.

What should you consider in outdoor string lights?

  • Length: Different options come in different sizes, from a few feet to half a dozen feet. You’ll want to measure your space to determine the length of the string of lights to be easier to set them up.
  • Durability: Since you will use these lights outside, you’ll want to make sure that they’re made to last. Waterproof and shatterproof features are essential so that if it rains or if they fall, they won’t damage or break.
  • Brightness: Depending on the size of your space and how much coverage you need, you may not need too bright lights; however, you also don’t want weak lights that don’t offer enough brightness for your setting.

What are some tips for hanging outdoor string lights?

The beauty of outdoor string lights is that you can hang them practically anywhere outside as long as there is an outlet nearby to power them. If you hang them on trees, you will need to measure the distance between the trees, see how tight you want them, and drill holes to mark where to insert a hook to install the string of the lights. If you hang them on your back deck, string them along with a post or railing and use painter’s tape to fasten them so that they will stay put.

Our Picks for the Best Outdoor String Lights

Top Choice

Brightown Store Outdoor String Lights

A brightly colored option for string lights that gives you the option for the color you prefer.

Pros: The Brightown Store Outdoor String Lights give you 25 feet of lighting power to illuminate your backyard, porch, and more. These lights are easy to move around, so installation is a breeze. Plus, they’re waterproof, so they’ll be fine out in the elements.

Cons: It’s lighter than the photos suggest, making the lights seem more amber.

Bottom Line: It’s easy to find a home for these lights: they’re inviting, warm, and practical. With multiple color options and simple installation steps, you can’t go wrong with choosing these.

 

Best Heavy-Duty Option

addlon 48 FT Outdoor String Lights

Light up your backyard with a set of heavy-duty lights that look great outdoors.

Pros: The addlon 48 FT Outdoor String Lights are a solid option for weathering the elements. They’re waterproof and made with an insulation material that protects them against hot water, sun, wind, rain, and more. They’re even compatible with dimmers so that you can choose the correct brightness.

Cons: While there isn’t an issue with their durability in the weather, they aren’t made with the highest quality material.

Bottom Line: These lights offer 48 feet of space for you to hang where you want to set the mood. They’re made to stand up in heavy-duty weather without you having to worry. If you want an option that works great outdoors, this is a solid choice.

 

Best with Solar Power

Brightown Solar String Outdoor Lights

Power your backyard ambiance with solar-powered lights that come in a variety of brightness levels.

Pros: The Brightown Solar String Outdoor Lights are a solar-powered option that powers up using the sun without the need for wires! When they get enough power during the day, they’ll last for up to 10 hours at night. They include 60 bulbs over a stretch of over 35 feet. They even have eight different lighting options.

Cons: The only issue with this set of lights is that they’re on the dimmer side.

Bottom Line: Light up your backyard with a set of solar-powered lights that you don’t have to plug in. The lightbulbs are attractive globes that feature brightness levels that you can change.

 

Best Shatterproof Option

SUNTHIN 48FT LED Outdoor String Light

A durable set of outdoor lights that provides plenty of dimming choices.

Pros: The SUNTHIN 48FT LED Outdoor String Light lets you set the brightness level for however you’re spending the time outdoors. These lights are great for patios, porches, and more. These lights are also shatterproof and weatherproof so that you don’t have to worry about them breaking even when it’s raining. Plus, these LED bulbs are 90% more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. These lights are of good quality and made to last.

Cons: You may want to use a dimmer with these lights—they’re a bit bright.

Bottom Line: Energy-efficient, shatterproof, and weatherproof, these lights offer plenty of features for a wonderful setting at night or inside.

 

Best for Changing Colors

Govee Outdoor String Lights with 15 Dimmable RGBW LED Bulbs

A set of lights with color-changing options, a remote, and quality that's made to last.

Pros: The Govee Outdoor String Lights with 15 Dimmable RGBW LED Bulbs is an excellent option for anyone looking to add some fun color to their backyard. These lights are waterproof, as well as shatterproof so that you can feel confident using them outside. Plus, they come with a remote so that you can control them from wherever you’re sitting. A cool extra feature is that these lights can sync up with music.

Cons: The lights may be on the dimmer side.

Bottom Line: Light up your backyard, patio, or porch with a colorful string of lights that gives you the option for which color you want. It’s extra easy to switch between colors thanks to a remote.

Final Thoughts

Get set for an extra-cool backyard with outdoor string lights that let you set the mood to however you’re feeling. Find the color, brightness, and size for your home to make the most of your nights outside.

Adrian Black-Seitz Adrian Black-Seitz
Adrian is a professional copywriter with five years of experience who loves reading, writing, and everything outdoors. He has ghost-written biographies, written graduate-level essays on Roman history and Latin poetry, and read way too much science fiction. Read Full Bio »
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